Very SERIOUSLY need FAST help... JD vs CC vs TB

SevenWonders · Jun 13, 2004

Hi everyone!

Really need some useful input, and some educated info...
(I know you all like JD, but SELL ME on it!)

Bottom line:
Plan to buy a new tractor tomorrow or Tuesday.
Need to be under $2000., max. (Prefer $1500.)

I have an acre, but I also cut a few smaller lawns,
ranging from 1/3 ac to about 1 ac.

I had planned to buy a Troy-Bilt Super Bronco
(yeah, go ahead and laugh now...)
21 HP, V twin B&S, 42" deck (exactly the size I prefer.)
Or the Horse - similar, but taller tires, heavier components.

However, it is tough to reach the brake, and I am not happy about not being able to mow in reverse. (However, I imagine it is possible to get creative and defeat that feature.) Also, I would really hate it if I actually had to turn off the manual PTO on that thing (a real pain on this tractor) every time I use reverse. (Again, I imagine this can be disabled.) But, also spoiled now from my old Kubota HST - don't really want to shift from Forward to reverse either, but I love the $1499. price tag.

Also considering:
Cub Cadet LT1018, 18.5 HP / 42" deck
But (sorry CC fans) it is Cellulite-Butt ugly!

Thought about JD L110,
but have heard less than rave reviews on the Kohler,
and the sensitive valves... don't want to get into something
that will require a lot of attention later on.

I like the L118, but really do not prefer to spend $2000. at Home Depot - will call some real dealers to see if they will do better.

Your mission:
CONVINCE me to buy the L118,
or one of these other tractors (PLEASE!) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks!

Dave

rockyridgefarm · Jun 13, 2004

Both TroyBilt and CC are MTD brands, now.

Really, do yourself a favor and check some JD Dealers. You can't beat the support you will get on a JD and Dealers will at least match if not beat the Depot. Of course, Deere has models priced much higher, and they are better, but the L's are good machines, in their bracket...

A few years ago, I bought a JD Built Scotts at Home Depot. It is alright, but shortly after getting it, we saw a Deere dealers prices and wished we would have checked them out...

Cliff_Johns · Jun 13, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Your mission:
CONVINCE me to buy the L118, or one of these other tractors (PLEASE!)
Thanks!
Dave )</font>

Well, that's the salesman's job. Go to a Deere dealer and ask the salesperson the same question.

I've had a LT166 for six years and it has been perfect, but that's only anecdotal evidence. If mine were stolen or hit by an astroid, I'd probably buy a new one just like it (the freedom deck is the perfect deck for me -- it mulches so well I can't see the choped up grass and I no longer rake leaves, I just mow them into powder and call them fertalizer), but I think the LTs are past your price point. I don't know about the L models, but I'd buy it from a dealer rather than Home Depot, just because.

Cliff

Bob_Skurka · Jun 13, 2004

I don't think you will see any price flexibility on the lower end units. It seems that the price is the price is the price, so a JD dealer or HD will probably have the same price. Same seems to be true with CC dealers and Lowes.

My question is, if you are mowing lawns, why would you even be looking at small lawn tractors when there are much better, faster small mowing machines? I'm not talking about the big fancy ZTRs but there are some residential grade ZTRs that are reasonably priced and will out mow a tractor every day of the week. Personally, I'd go for cutting speed and cut quality over a tractor any day.

JDdude · Jun 13, 2004

John Deere has the financing and 30 day no hassle return policy..

A friend of mine bought a Cub Cadet at Lowes.He went on the net and got a 10% discount voucher on it,I think Lowes site. Then he found out that on the particular model he was looking for 18hp ,I believe. Cub Cadet has installed some 20+ hp engines in them because they could not keep up production on the smaller motors. He said you have to raise the hood on them until you find a 18 hp model with a larger engine.

He seemed very happy with his purchase..

I am not a Kawasaki Fan so I do not care for the smaller Deeres..Not that they are bad engines. I have personal reasons to not like Kawasaki USA products (Kawasaki USA is a very BAD company)and I will leave it at that..

John Deere is a A-1 Company..

SevenWonders · Jun 13, 2004

Thanks to all so far!

About salespeople...
I had been an Auto Mgr for years,
met very few who were honest -
I was hoping to get some truth from folks here /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
But I like the asteroid scenario!

Is there a decent ZTR for under $2k???
But I also pull aerators, dethatchers, haul soil, etc...
think I need to stick with a small tractor.

Interesting... a 20hp on an 18hp CC -
will have to check - they have 5 in stock at my Lowes.

Kawi engine?
Which JDs have that?
I think the L118 is a 20 HP V twin B&S.
Eek - I used to race MX -
always had Suz / Yam...
even bough an XR once, but never Kawi.

Anyone know anyone with a recent model Troy-Bilt?
Consumer reports have the L110 and similar TB ranked very high. The CC was too, but fell short in the repairs column.

Do we know anyone who owns an L110 or L118?
Where is the guy who works for the JD factory -
he also has a Kubota I believe?
Perhaps he can shed some light on this situation...
all other replies welcome though!

Thanks again!

MessickFarmEqu · Jun 14, 2004

When you are buying a tractor under $2000 there is really very little difference between them. Everyone is built with the bottom dollar in mind. My recomendation is to buy the cheapst one OUTSIDE of the Lowes/Home depot models. The LT1018 is a good tractor for its price point, we have had very few issues with them, I would buy at the bottom of the 2000 series. You could also consider Kubota L&G because you can get the same financing that you can on their larger tractors.